Wednesday criminal trespass call in Lampasas County leads to pursuit and arrest of Copperas Cove man, one suspect still at large

By LYNETTE SOWELL

Cove Leader-Press

The pursuit of two suspects involved in a Lampasas County criminal trespass call led to Big Divide Road in Copperas Cove.

On Wednesday afternoon, Texas Game Wardens responded to a criminal trespass call in Lampasas County.

“When they arrived, the two suspects fled the scene. The wardens were able to apprehend one of the individuals but the search is still ongoing for the second,” said Stephanie Garcia in a statement from the Texas Parks & Wildlife Press office.

As of press time Thursday, law enforcement officials were continuing to search for Robert Westly Morris II, age 40, whose listed address of residence is Temple.

“He was last seen fleeing the scene with a firearm. He has an active arrest warrant and additional charges are pending,” Garcia stated.

Morris has been described as a white male wearing a blue shirt, tan pants, and a ball cap. He was recently arrested by Copperas Cove Police on Oct. 31, for possession of a controlled substance penalty group 1, greater than 4 grams but less than 200 grams, for the unlawful carry of a firearm by a felon, and was wanted by the  Lampasas Police Department for the manufacture/deliver of substance in penalty group 1.

Johnnie Heintzman, 30, of Copperas Cove was arrested and is being held in the Lampasas County Jail on criminal mischief charges.

The Lampasas County Sheriff’s Office issued an alert on Wednesday, urging residents to stay in their homes, as the suspect was described as "armed and dangerous." Taylor Creek Elementary School, on Big Divide Road in Copperas Cove, was also briefly on lockdown.

Texas Game Wardens are working in conjunction with the Copperas Cove Police Department, Lampasas County Sheriff’s Office and the Texas Department of Public Safety. The investigation is ongoing and no other details are available at this time.